Highlights from the Supreme Court’s Affirmative-Action Ruling

The Supreme Court on Tuesday voted to uphold a Michigan voter initiative that banned affirmative action in public education and in state employment and contracting. The court didn’t reexamine the constitutionality of affirmative action, but six justices agreed that states may end racial preferences without violating the U.S. Constitution.

Here are key passages from the plurality opinion written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, the dissent from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and concurring opinions from Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Stephen Breyer and Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice Elena Kagan didn’t participate in the case.

Justice Kennedy:

■ This case is not about how the debate about racial preferences should be resolved. It is about who may resolve it.